simile and sempre

[Wescott]

Sometimes, based on experience, I don’t “trust” simile or sempre. Especially when they're supposed to apply for more than a few bars. So I’m tempted to just continue with the explicit notation for some things. Does anyone else here have doubts as to some musicians kind of fading out on the specifics when a simile or sempre goes on for a bit? I have some other things to say along these lines, but I’ll keep it simple for now.

[John Ruggero]

I think it depends on the situation. If you feel that there is a danger of misunderstanding, write it out. If not, don't.

In the really old days, they didn't even use simile and sempre, but implied it. Then simile and sempre became necessary. Now...

[Wescott]

Yes, I've noticed a certain casual looseness in some of the notation from way back when, I would guess in part because the performance styles were so well ingrained.
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